Halstead And O’Sullivan Miss Out For Munster
Injuries sustained in Saturday’s defeat to the Dragons has ruled Trevor Halstead and John O’Sullivan out of the Munster squad for next weekend’s historic Heineken Cup trip to Geneva.
…Munster centre Trevor Halstead taking on the Dragons’ defence on Friday…
Injuries sustained in Saturday’s defeat to the Dragons have ruled Trevor Halstead and John O’Sullivan out of the Munster squad for next weekend’s historic Heineken Cup trip to Geneva.
Halstead sustained a calf strain during the Magners League clash at Rodney Parade, but while the South African centre will miss the upcoming game against Bourgoin, he could return for the European champions’ Pool 4 showdown against Leicester Tigers on January 20.
The 30-year-old former Springbok has started Munster’s last 12 European games at inside centre – he sat out the province’s defeat in Sale in October 2005, when Gary Connolly partnered Barry Murphy in midfield.
Backrower O’Sullivan, meanwhile, is unfortunately staring at a six week lay-off after he suffered a medial knee ligament injury in Wales. The Kerryman had been coming into good form, having started Munster’s last three games.
There is better news for Declan Kidney concerning out-half Jeremy Manning. The 21-year-old only suffered soft tissue damage when injurying his shoulder against the Dragons, and should be available for inclusion in the matchday 22 for next Sunday.
Training on Monday were centre Barry Murphy, who missed the Dragons game due to a stomach bug, and hooker Jerry Flannery who is eagerly awaiting his first appearance of the season after shoulder surgery.
Number eight Denis Leamy, who was ill last weekend, did not train with the rest of the Munster squad on Monday but should be listed amongst the squad Kidney names on Wednesday.